Alcohol

The #1 cause of death among teenagers is motor vehicle accidents. A majority of these accidents are alcohol related. How are the skills needed for driving impaired by alcohol? a.slows reaction time b.affects your vision c.makes you drowsy d.reduces your coordination e. affects your judgment

Why do people drink? Peer Pressure -Parents or Siblings drink regularly -Perform poorly in school or at work -To cope with stress -To dull emotional pain -To experiment -Have become addicted

Peer pressure is the most common reason why teens begin drinking. What are some ways you can resist this pressure? a. give good reasons b. state the consequences c. say “no” firmly d. if needed say “no” again e. walk away -What are some other things you can say and do?

Things you could say…

How can drinking affect your future? a. JAIL – going to jail/probation will go on your record. Could make it difficult to get a job or get into college b. SEXUAL ACTIVITY –alcohol can cause you to make poor decisions. Unprotected sex can lead to STD’s and pregnancy c. DIVING –38% of all drownings are related to alcohol use d. TEEN BRAINS –alcohol affects development of the brain. The changes that alcohol causes in young brains increases the risk of alcoholism.

Short Term Effects -Impaired reaction time and coordination -Impaired Judgment -Senses diminished -Central Nervous System Depressed -Sexual functioning diminished -Feeling of Relaxation

Long Term Effects -Permanent loss of memory -Irregular heartbeat -Increased blood pressure -Weak immune system -Kidney failure -Cirrhosis of the liver -Cancer of lip, mouth, esophagus, liver, rectum, stomach, and pancreas

What long term effects might alcohol have on the liver? Hepatitis Cirrhosis Liver cancer

FACTS Alcohol affects every part of the body. It is carried through the bloodstream to the brain, stomach, internal organs, liver, kidneys, muscles – everywhere. It is absorbed very quickly (as short as minutes) and can stay in the body for several hours.

FACTS Each year approximately 5,000 young people under the age of 21 die as a result of underage drinking. 500,000 students between the ages of 18 and 24 are unintentionally injured under the influence of alcohol. More than 600,000 students between the ages of 18 and 24 are assaulted by another student who has been drinking. More than 70,000 students between the ages of 18 and 24 are victims of alcohol-related sexual assault or rape. Over.08 driving is illegal.

Addiction Psychological or physical dependence on a substance, characterized by a compulsive desire and increasing need for the substance, and by harm to the individual and society.

Vocab Motor coordination. This includes the ability to walk, drive and process information. Impulse control. Drinking lowers inhibitions and increases the chances that a person will do something that they will regret when they are sober. Memory. Impaired recollection and even blackouts can occur when too much alcohol has been consumed. Judgment and decision making capacity. Drinking may lead young people to engage in risky behaviors that can result in illness, injury and even death.

Dependence. People who reported starting to drink before the age of 15 were four times more likely to also report meeting the criteria for alcohol dependence at some point in their lives. Illicit drug use. More than 67 percent of young people who start drinking before the age of 15 will try an illicit drug. Sexual activity. Alcohol use by teens is a strong predictor of both sexual activity and unprotected sex. A survey of high school students found that 18 percent of females and 39 percent of males say it is acceptable for a boy to force sex if the girl is high or drunk. Vocab

Violence. Children who start drinking before age 15 are 12 times more likely to be injured while under the influence of alcohol and 10 times more likely to be in a fight after drinking, compared with those who wait until they are 21 to drink. School. Student substance use precedes, and is a risk factor for, academic problems, such as lower grades, absenteeism and high dropout rates. Alcohol can interfere with a student’s ability to think, making learning and concentration more difficult and ultimately impeding academic performance. In fact, the more a student uses alcohol, tobacco and other drugs, the lower his grade point average is likely to be and the more likely he is to drop out of school. Driving. When young people drink and get into a car, they tend to make poor decisions that impact their safety. Traffic crashes are the number one killer of teens and over one-third of teen traffic deaths are alcohol-related.

What is alcohol and why is it considered a drug? -It is a drug because it changes a person’s physical and emotional state. Alcohol is a depressant, which means it slows the function of the central nervous system. Alcohol actually blocks some of the messages trying to get to the brain. This alters a person's perceptions, emotions, movement, vision, and hearing.

NJ Underage Alcohol Penalties First Offense Under New Jersey Law if an offender’s BAC is 0.08 percent or higher a fine of $250-$400 Imprisonment for up to 30 days 3 months license suspension A minimum of six hours a day for two consecutive days in an Intoxicated Driver Resource Center An automobile insurance surcharge of $1,000 a year for 3 years.

NJ Underage Alcohol Penalties Second Offense A fine of $500-$1,000 Imprisonment of at least 48 consecutive hours, and up to 90 days 2-year license suspension 48 consecutive hours detainment in a regional Intoxicated Driver Resource Center. An automobile insurance surcharge of $1,000 a year for 3 years. Installation of an ignition interlock device for a period of 1 year to 3 years after license restoration.

NJ Underage Alcohol Penalties Third Offense A fine of $1,000 or more Imprisonment of 180 days 10-year license suspension Detainment in an in-patient alcoholism treatment program An automobile insurance surcharge of $1500 a year for 3 years Installation of an ignition interlock device for a period of 1 year to 3 years after license restoration.